Would this do better in a large, well drained pot, or in clay soil where it will eventually be shaded by a Bismarck? The bismarck will be about 5 feet away, but it's crown will easily clear the baileyana's. Or option 3, where it will have better soil, but have a good bit of shade and heavier root competition?

It's in a 2 gallon pot now.

I think these guys like full sun. So under a Bismark may not be ideal. But im certainly not an expert

I think these guys like full sun. So under a Bismark may not be ideal. But im certainly not an expert

Yes, I've heard that as well. But, at least it would be in the ground. But also, living where I do, it would probably never outgrow the pot. I'm torn...

You might want to put it in a very deep pot, in full sun, and let it fill out a bit. You never know when space might clear up for this Bailey down the road.

You might want to put it in a very deep pot, in full sun, and let it fill out a bit. You never know when space might clear up for this Bailey down the road.

Thanks, wise words.

You might want to put it in a very deep pot, in full sun, and let it fill out a bit. You never know when space might clear up for this Bailey down the road.

Thanks, wise words.

This palm wants to be in full sun .

It is a relatively difficult palm to come by in CA and deserves a prominent fun sun exposure clear from anything else.

Hi Steve,

I don't think 5 feet is enough space between a Bismarck and Baileyana. The Bismarck will easily reach 25 feet quickly and completely shade the baileyana as it's developing. I agree with KW put the Baileyana in a pot in full sun.

Good luck.

Peter

Show we the picture please :-D

they need to be in the ground and in full sun or its going to be real slow.

super slow.

let the roots spread out and give it blazing sun with lots of water and lots of good fertilizer.

Edited February 23, 201412 yr by trioderob

I would go for planting in ground in a shade spot over keeping it in a pot.

They do like to be in the ground with full sun and lots of water but you could basically bonsai it in a pot but still full sun! Too nice of a palm to put under a Bizzie! Ditch the Bizzie and plant the Bailey then wait and wait and wait some more for it to grow

I guess they're a bit difficult to grow in California?

Perhaps ask Ken Johnson for his advice, when I think about copernicia I think of Ken

Perhaps ask Ken Johnson for his advice, when I think about copernicia I think of Ken

Ken definitely knows his stuff! Copernicas grow here, but only about a quarter of the rate that they grow in South Flordia. It's a shame.

Show we the picture please :-D

Nothing to write home about, but I'll try to get something up at some point.

Photo will help. But I'm with the "plant in full sun" group - and far from the Bizzie. Those things get huge and Copernicias don't stay small. Both species don't strike me as good potted plants.

Show we the picture please :-D

Photo will help. But I'm with the "plant in full sun" group - and far from the Bizzie. Those things get huge and Copernicias don't stay small. Both species don't strike me as good potted plants.

This is the only other option for planting if it were to go in the ground. B. alfredii (front left), Kings and Chambronia (center), and S. repens (front right). I may chop the kings when my C. macrocarpa getsbigger.

What worries me is the growing B. alfredii, and the fact that I would need to plant it next to my main water line. I know Copernicas have large root systems and I can't have it affecting my water line. I would have to plant it roughly where the black pot is. Better pics later. 10' by 10' area.

I was thinking it was a larger plant, although they do like to be in the ground I'd say you could easily pull off another 4-5 years in a pot before it gets planted, you'll loose some growth potential but if you're like me that's not the biggest deal. Just make sure to pick it up once in a while to make sure the roots are not going into the ground as they don't like to be disturbed if you need to move it nice little plant!

Might want to repot right about now or lift it up an put a bit more soil in the pot for it

Good tips all around. Thanks everyone.

Water line? Meaning your incoming water? That pipe is copper and several feet down, I wouldn't worry about that.

Water line? Meaning your incoming water? That pipe is copper and several feet down, I wouldn't worry about that.

Yes, the incoming water. I found it while digging. At least close to the house, it is like 6" below grade. My house is from the 20's. It may taper downward toward the street.

I'm just a little worried since I've heard they have a large root structure. I'm assuming that they would just work around the pipes.

BTW, B. alfredii also gets huge. I saw one in Dale Holton's yard and it was enormous. It would take at least 2 people holding hands to span the circumference of its trunk. A 10x10' space would barely hold my largest Bizzie.

I've never developed a system to find out how much sun certain parts of the house get during different seasons. It may be getting more sun than I think. It is the North side of my property, but there is nothing in range more than 2 stories tall. The neighbors are closely crowded though, so the sun often has to get to a higher angle before it crosses the South side of my property - which seems like it is getting more sun. I'm trying to get a little more scientific with these things.

I'll take some pictures of my properties layout sometime.

BTW, B. alfredii also gets huge. I saw one in Dale Holton's yard and it was enormous. It would take at least 2 people holding hands to span the circumference of its trunk. A 10x10' space would barely hold my largest Bizzie.

Yeah, I have to keep planting my favorites though, and using up every precious space. I have heard a lot of variation on the size of these, but they are undoubtedly very large. I'm not so much worried about the size. My main goal is to get one of these puppies into the ground and grow slowly, as more of an accent palm. Like how Sabal minor may be used. I just want to make sure that it doesn't get shaded to death - if that ever happens?

Anything there up front will outpace it.

I just need a few feet between the B. alfredii's and the Copernica's trunk. The Macrocarpa should be picking up a little speed and be far enough behind. The S. repens will be a ground crawler. There's a false banana in the back that will grow fast, and produce shade. But it is easy to chop down - a point at which it can regrow from. And, I'll probably but a few succulents in there. The agave in the 5 gallon bin is A. parryl. It's probably fine a spot in there too.

I'll add some proper pictures soon. After watching many dialogues here on palmtalk, I've implemented some of those ideas.

Edited February 24, 201412 yr by Sabal Steve

Also, I don't pay much for water, but I'd would be nice to conserve some to recycle (gray water probably) and divert it to the front area there. The whole thing has a layer of compost and mulch under the rocks. There's even a bad ass Agave Americana there by the window to keep peeping toms away - It's gonna be a beast!!! I'd be open to suggestions regarding water conservation methods. I know there's been lots of talk here lately regarding that, which I haven't been able to follow.

I could route the gutters there to catch rain too, but it's clay and might get over saturated in winter. I'd like all those palms to be fairly compatible with my soil. I use gypsum and sprinkle good bits once every 6 months or so.

Sorry for diverting from the Copernica, but I think that this is all relevant.

Edited February 24, 201412 yr by Sabal Steve

Show we the picture please :-D

2014-02-23 12.33.00.jpg

planting it in to the ground fast as possible Steve

Thank you very much for the picture

Edited February 24, 201412 yr by avanza